Author: Colleen

I am finding out that a wet cold is preferable to this dry, windy cold. So I opted for the treadmill again today. The iFit 5k that popped up today was a trail run in New Hampshire. I didn’t notice a date or time of year for the run, however, it was very green with tall trees, shade, and some hills. The variety was actually a challenge and fun for a change.

Playing pickle ball a bit later today and am really enjoying that. Starting to improve and wanting to find a way to get a few more days a week on the court so that I can increase the rate of improvement. Still having a blast out there!

Run happy!

Yesterday I ran my old three mile loop through the Mission Valley neighborhood. I forgot how much I like that wide community sidewalk that wraps the neighborhood and is lined with shade trees. I ran about a 9 minute pace and felt great.

Today was an early morning and the temps are in the mid 30’s so I opted for a treadmill today. The iFit program on the treadmill featured a 5k that was filmed in Cottonwood, Arizona. It was fun to have the guided run and hear the commentary about the history of Cottonwood and the wild wild west. Great start to the day.

Run happy!

Headed out a little after 6:00am while still dark out with the temperature around 42 degrees. My legs felt a little tight and it took longer to warm up than normal. Completed a nice, slow three miles as the sky started to lighten with the sunrise.

Nothing super special today. Always grateful for another day.

Run happy!

The run on Saturday afternoon was a light pace to preserve energy for the early morning half marathon on Sunday. Then played a little pickle ball on Saturday afternoon after my run.

This morning was an early wake up call to prep for the half marathon. I started with a smoothie and banana. I don’t like to eat anything heavy prior to a long run so a smoothie a few hours before the race fuels me and gets through my system so I am not looking for a port-a-potty along the way.

Today’s She Run was in Chandler, AZ and almost entirely women! My goal was to finish in under two hours and my official time was 2:01:35. I felt very strong and definitely can improve on the time for the next half in a few weeks.

Run happy!

Ran this morning then ran to work! I feel like I am running late most days and really need to push myself out the door earlier…it’s just so dark and cold.

Today was a busy Friday and I am so grateful for the early run to begin my day with a win. Even if it put me a little late!

Run happy!

Cut out early from the office around 3:30pm to run in the sun again. Such beautiful days right now. Then headed to meet a friend who is teaching me to play pickle ball. Today was my third time and I am really starting to enjoy it!

I was a tennis player for years so the transition to pickle ball is fairly easy and quick. My biggest problem is the short paddle. I whiffed the ball less tonight than the previous two times! Progress!

Run happy!

Early run today around 7am with temps in the low 40’s. Easy pace to rest up for upcoming half marathon in four days.

I am listening to a book from the Memory Man series with the main character named Amos Decker. I like to mix a few fun books in with the business/motivational books. This book title is The Fix and so far a good murder mystery.

Run happy!

It was overcast and a little drizzly this morning so I packed up my running gear in hopes that the weather forecast would be correct and it would clear up this afternoon. Sure enough the sun came out and I changed into my running gear.

I headed out from the office about 4:00pm for an out and back. There was a cool breeze blowing in my face when running east that felt good with the sun shine. I think it’s been at least four days since I have run in any kind of sun light. Mostly night or overcast runs lately.

The temps are supposed to drop overnight so truly grateful for the sunshine run today.

Run happy!

I waited until 24 hours after the tattoo was completed because that is how long I needed to wait to take a shower and change the bandage. See no shower equals no run before work.

It was still a rainy and overcast day with a break from the rain this afternoon which was perfect. Weather was upper 50’s with a light breeze making my post 10 mile and tattoo recovery day very pleasant. The run felt good and I didn’t even notice the tattoo or feel anything while running or after for that matter.

I did look at the meaning of the placement of tattoos before getting this one on my thigh. I was a little undecided about getting it on my thigh or on my ribcage. My ultimate decision came down to my thigh because my legs do most of the work. (The ribcage was second because I need my lungs and strong heart to run.)

The internet, which is always accurate and trustworthy, says that the placement of a tattoo on the legs or feet represent what you’re working (or moving) towards. I like that. And it is on my left leg and it says that choosing the left side is more meaningful since that is the side your heart is on. I like that too.

Run happy!

The weather forecast was for light rain very early, then a break until afternoon. So I laced up and started my run around 9:00am. Nice overcast day with temps in the low 50’s…so perfect for a training run to get ready for the half marathon next week.

Then the really big event of the day was a trip to a tattoo artist. I started thinking about a tattoo three years ago while on this running streak. For some reason I wanted to do something with a comma to memorialize the 1,000 days in a row and earning the comma.

I searched and searched for artwork and just couldn’t find the right piece. Then I found this quote with a comma in it. I really love what it means for life in general, “Every mile earned, never given.” It all takes work, hard work, and I did that! So here is my new tattoo with the date that I hit my first 1,000.

Adjusted the logo or symbol, not sure what it was and then added the date that I hit day 1,000. Here is the final outcome on my left outer thigh.

Today was a good day. Run happy!